Cost effective cartridge for a plasma arc torch
AssigneeHypertherm, Inc.
InventorsYu Zhang, Zheng Duan, Stephen T. Eickhoff, Garrett K. Quillia, Brett Hansen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adapter for a plasma arc torch comprising a torch body is provided. The adapter includes a body defining a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end and at least one protruding portion extending from the proximal end of the body. The at least one protruding portion is configured to be inserted into a cavity of the torch body to physically engage a switch inside of the cavity. The engagement of the switch is adapted to indicate installation of a consumable component in the plasma arc torch.
Claims32
An adapter for a plasma arc torch comprising a torch body, the adapter comprising;
- a body defining a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- at least one protruding portion extending from the proximal end of the body,
- wherein the at least one protruding portion is configured to be inserted into a cavity of the torch body to physically engage a switch inside of the cavity, the engagement of the switch adapted to indicate installation of a consumable component in the plasma arc torch.
A method for detecting a presence of a consumable in a plasma arc torch that includes a torch body, the method comprising:
- providing an adapter having a body defining a proximal end and a distal end, the body having at least one protruding portion extending from the proximal end;
- inserting the protruding portion of the adapter into a cavity of the torch body;
- and
- physically engaging, by the protruding portion of the adapter, at least one consumable sensing pin within the cavity to indicate the presence of the consumable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.